A roadmap to boost Islamic unity was drawn up by religious scholars and clergymen last night.
Participants in the Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference, held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad, stressed the need to shun doctrinal or sectarian differences and focus on constructive understanding to address shared challenges.
The two-day event, held at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, under the theme One Nation ... One Destiny, concluded with the conference’s declaration and recommendations.
Participants called for co-operation between religious, academic and media institutions to combat hate speech. They emphasised the need to criminalise insults and sought a firm stance against expressions of hostility from all sects.
They acknowledged that historical and intellectual discourse within various Islamic traditions contains interpretative errors that should be critically reviewed, encouraging scholars to engage in self-assessment.
The declaration stressed the need for unified efforts to support Muslim causes, including the Palestinian crisis and resistance against occupation.
It called for collective action to combat poverty and extremism. “Practical co-operation on key issues would naturally bridge sectarian divides under the common umbrella of Islamic brotherhood,” it said.
Scholars who took part in the conference proposed documenting areas of agreement in Islamic beliefs, law, and values and said such a project would enhance mutual understanding, foster a shared Islamic culture, and strengthen the Muslim world’s global outreach.
They highlighted the need to integrate the principles of national unity in educational curricula, mosque sermons and media discourse. Development of structured initiatives, including books on the jurisprudence of differences, platforms to counter hate speech, and joint socio-economic projects were also proposed.
The declaration recognised the significant role of women in fostering unity, both within the family and in broader societal and academic contributions. It encouraged increased female participation in dialogue and community-building initiatives.
It also stressed the need for a new strategy that addresses youth’s concerns and aspirations, and recommended utilising modern tools and digital platforms to communicate with them.
“Religious messaging should resonate with younger generations and reflect their vision for Islam’s future,” the declaration pointed out.
It proposed the establishment of specialised committees under Islamic institutions to facilitate dialogue among Muslim youth of different sects. This initiative aims to organise youth-led programmes, connect youth in the West with their Islamic heritage, and promote positive representations of their religious identity while addressing sectarian misperceptions.
The conference highlighted the importance of institutional and scholarly initiatives to dismantle stereotypes, reduce tensions, and combat Islamophobia to enhance the global perception of Muslims and foster greater unity within the Islamic nation.
It also proposed the creation of an Islamic Dialogue Association under the Muslim Council of Elders to foster intra-Islamic communication and inclusivity. Inspired by prophetic teachings, this association would aim to unite all components of the Muslim Ummah.
The Muslim Council of Elders committed to establishing a Joint Islamic Dialogue Committee to implement the conference’s resolutions.
The panel announced preparations, in co-ordination with Al Azhar, for a second Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference in Cairo, as proposed by Grand Imam Dr Ahmed Al Tayeb during his keynote address.
“These recommendations aim to institutionalise dialogue, promote unity, and create sustainable mechanisms for fostering intra-Islamic co-operation and understanding,” said the declaration.
“We would like to thank His Majesty King Hamad for taking the pioneering initiative to have this conference.”
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